"Free Online Course: The French Revolution" Topic

The French Revolution was one of the most important upheavals in world history. This course examines its origins, course and outcomes.

The French Revolution is one of the great turning-points in history.

In 1789 huge numbers of French peasants, urban workers and middle-class people successfully rebelled against absolute monarchy and the privileges of the nobility. But the struggle over what social and political system should replace the 'Old Regime' was to divide French people and finally the whole of Europe. This subject examines the history of the French Revolution from its origins to 1799.

The French Revolution continues to fascinate us, to inspire us, at times to horrify us. Never before had the people of a large and populous country sought to remake their society on the basis of the principles of liberty and equality. The drama, success and tragedy of their project has attracted students to it for more than two centuries. Its importance and fascination for us are undiminished as we try to understand revolutions in our own times…

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French peasants, urban workers and middle-class people successfully rebelled against absolute monarchy and the privileges of the nobility

At the beginning, French nobility were prominent among the revolutionaries. They thought they'd trim the King's power and that would be the end of it. The revolution began devouring its own and they were the first.

Don't start the Revolution without me!